WoodPoP launches new Dara Award recognizing excellence in sustainable timber construction

The European Wood Policy Platform (WoodPoP) will present the Dara Award for the first time in 2026, a new European award recognizing outstanding achievements in timber construction. The award has been launched at the 4th High-Level WoodPoP Meeting in October 2025 and it will be officially presented for the first time on November 26, 2026, in Prague.

Picture credits: (c) WoodPoP, François Sougnez, 2025

The European Wood Policy Platform WoodPoP, initiated by Austria and Finland, unites representatives from 27 countries as well as organizations from science, politics, and industry to promote sustainable timber policy in Europe.

With the Dara Award, WoodPoP highlights projects that demonstrate how timber can contribute to solving key challenges about climate, housing, and health. Austria’s Minister of Agriculture, Norbert Totschnig, emphasized the role of timber construction in climate protection, innovation, and economic growth. Czech Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný emphasized the importance of wood-based construction for a sustainable, healthy lifestyle and is delighted to host the first Dara Award ceremony in Prague.

Completed projects that place wood at the heart of design and construction are eligible for submission to the Dara Award.
Residential buildings, non-residential buildings, infrastructure projects, as well as renovations and extensions completed by March 31, 2026, are eligible.
Projects located abroad are also eligible, provided they were managed by a company from a participating country.
National WoodPoP representatives can nominate up to two projects; a third nomination is possible if the project belongs to a different typology.
Evaluation is anonymous and based on design, innovation, sustainability, and social impact.
An additional public choice award will be presented online.

The nominated projects will be showcased through the WoodPoP Hall of Fame, the website, and social media. The initiative is supported by Wood4Bauhaus. The Dara Award fully adheres to the values of the New European Bauhaus and uses the NEB Compass to evaluate the projects.

Read here the full press release. The application is now open. Project nominations can be submitted before the closing date 31 March 2026 via the:

WoodPoP Dara Award portal